Increased DOC funding

Increased DOC funding

Posted by Jonathan Swadling192tp on November 25, 2016

Something that has flown under the radar for many is that under the current government DOC's budget has been slashed and burned. Not only is preserving the conservation estate vital for it's own sake, it also brings in a lot of tourists. Funding to DOC needs to be increased, possibly in part through looking at charges for some heavy use areas (Tongariro Crossing springs to mind).

I could not agree more. As a volunteer for a not for profit environmental group for 10 years I have witnessed first hand the degradation of DOC under this government, or is it a metamorphisis – from an agency charged with protecting our precious environment, to a business model charged with making money from tourism. A summary of recent changes has been recorded by someone who worked for DOC for 15 years (http://www.docwatchnz.com/). It is a troubling report, worthwhile reading for anyone who has a stake in our public estate, and that surely is all kiwis? What doesn’t seem to be understood by many now pulling the DOC strings is that environmental damage (or lack of care) is not something which can be remediated in years, or even centuries. We know that New Zealand’s natural environment is unique and much envied by many. As environmental degradation around the globe worsens (as it surely will) our natural landscape and all she contains will become ever more desirable. Get serious about investing in its wellbeing, and protecting the one element which will set our country apart from all others in the future. It’s the jewel in the crown but oh, so easily destroyed.

Anna White tagged this with essential2016-11-27 20:17:34 +1300

Anna White followed this page
2016-11-27 17:57:09 +1300

John Rusk tagged this with essential2016-11-26 10:05:32 +1300

David ten Have tagged this with essential2016-11-26 05:10:43 +1300

Jane Upton tagged this with important2016-11-25 22:53:48 +1300

Oscar Dowson tagged this with important2016-11-25 15:29:20 +1300

james reardon commented
2016-11-25 15:19:02 +1300

So I declare my COI, I’m a DOC scientist, so my tagging this as essential could be viewed as nest feathering but I would ask that it be seen as an informed opinion on the costs to the persistence of our biodiversity and ecosystem function and the back-sliding due to what is extremely minimal funding compared to other sectors and the cost of the work.

james reardon tagged this with essential2016-11-25 15:19:01 +1300

Peter Jamieson tagged this with interesting2016-11-25 14:52:29 +1300

Bart Brichau commented
2016-11-25 14:41:46 +1300

As long as there is strong policy around how this funding is used. I would hate to see it go to 1080 or the likes.

Bart Brichau tagged this with important2016-11-25 14:41:45 +1300

Nathan Rattray tagged this with low priority2016-11-25 14:21:53 +1300

Jonathan Swadling
published this page in Suggestions2016-11-25 13:20:39 +1300